Page 75 of Forever Fallen

“Yeah.”

“What were you thinking?”

“I remember that when you kissed me at the airport, that I felt a tingle of electricity that I’d never experienced before,” she admitted, feeling suddenly shy at the admission. “… And wished that I’d taken the time to get to know you a little better so that way our vows weren’t so rushed, hectic, and scattered. I was so freaked out that we were actually going through with getting married that I barely remembered what I said – but I sure remember the look in your eyes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” she chuckled easily. “I remember thinking they looked like warm, melted chocolate… and I’m a chocoholic.”

“Oh gosh…” he laughed loudly, hugging her. “Sophie, you are killing me darling. Chocolate, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“How about we go have another hot cocoa on the porch and sit together for a while? Maybe we should get a two-person rocker so I can hold you on nights like this.”

“Oh Ryan… I would love that.”

“Consider it done,” he said tenderly, kissing her. “Let’s indulge, my sweet chocoholic.”

CHAPTER23

SOPHIE

Friday hadto be the longest day ever and a true test of their relationship, because Sophie was chomping at the bit to figure out what Ryan was up to. She didn’t dare call Flyboys again, nor did she text him, because trust would be a major component of a relationship and if they were going to make it… she needed to trust him.

He hadn’t let her down yet and she had no reason not to believe his words despite how it felt or looked. He said there was a surprise and claimed everything was innocent… so shehadto believe him.

It was as simple as that.

Not believing him or finding out he lied again – that was not a road she could let herself follow. That tiny voice in her head was insidious and she was trying so hard not to listen to it.

The day wore on, she’d cleaned the house top to bottom, rebuilt the website, and was trying to decide if she needed to go ahead and prepare a casserole for tomorrow, so it was less for her to do.

Ryan had told her they were going to dinner with the Flyboys crew – and that he was dressing in uniform because the whole team would be there. He implied it was a fancy restaurant and she didn’t know if they were celebrating, but she didn’t dare ask any more questions…

Keeping her mouth shut, holding back any fears or anxiety, and moved to get out a very nice dress to look special on the arm of her man.

… Only to find that it didn’t fit.

Sophie gaped in shock, realizing that the buttons would not fasten, and the waist was snug. The dress was meant to be chic and professional – but with the buttons gaping wide open, she couldn’t even wear it.

She tried another dress… and found the same thing. Her clothing wasn’t fitting right, not like it used to. Racing up the stairs, she pulled out the scale in the guest bathroom and stepped on it.

“Oh my gosh…”

She’d gained almost twelve pounds in three weeks.

“What in the…”

Back in Dallas she walked to the grocery, to the market, and used the gym at her apartment, all because of her sedentary job… but here?

Here she hadn’t been working out or exercising – and Ryan made sure she ate every meal. The man liked to cook and when he wasn’t cooking? They were having hot cocoa with Cool Whip together on the porch.

How had she not noticed?

Slapping herself on the forehead, she groaned. Stupid elastic leggings and comfy pants. There was so much stretch and give that she hadn’t realized that her fitted dress suits didn’t fit anymore.

Heading back downstairs, she dug in her closet for anything that wasn’t fitted or sleek… only to pull out a pale pink flowing dress that had spaghetti straps on the shoulders.

---